American Bald Eagle

The American Bald Eagle is, indeed, a symbol of strength and power . This large bird with a wingspan of 7 ft. is a protected bird in America and one that is revered by many as our national bird. To watch one fly, soaring seemingly effortless is a real treat birders but also for just about any nature enthusiast. They mate for life and generally produce a nest of 2 to 4 eggs each year. In recent years, many have been able to view live streaming videos of nesting bald eagles which is a joy to observe.

I was on a birding trip on Hilton Head Island and had a private boat tour of the backwaters of Gilbert Creek. My guide really wanted me to see an eagle so he led me right to one’s nest. High up in pine trees, the nest was huge even looking from a distance. I learned that the nests can weigh up to 2 tons. The need for such a large & significant nest is that the juvenile eagles remain with the parents in the nest until about 4 years of age. That’s a lot of bird in a bunch of twiggy branches!

Watching an eagle swoop down on its prey, grab it and carry it back to where it will be eaten, impresses me for a variety of reasons. First, their eyesight is amazingly strong enabling the eagle to watch its prey from the sky and select just the right moment to go for it. They can see forward and to the side without turning its head or even moving the eyes. You might have seen videos of an eagle swooping down and grabbing a large, heavy fish for dining. Another impressive characteristic of the eagles are the talons on their feet. These are heavy, sharply curved hooks which are said to be able to apply 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch in each foot. The eagle can easily grab and kill its prey.

The Bald Eagle can fly up to 100 miles per hour in pursuit of it’s prey. Just look at those massive feet and imagine the power in the talons. Talk about “grab & go!”

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I am a lover of nature and the gift of life. Inspired daily by the blessings of my children and grandchildren, I have had rewarding careers in education and United Way. I enjoy birding, photography, writing and life-long learning. I am passionate about furthering conservation of our environment and especially bird habitats. I have a close walk with my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. As a 15 year breast cancer survivor, I believe strongly in Living With A Hopeful Heart and am committed to advocating for early detection and spreading the message of hope for all. My post-breast cancer life motto is "Don't Waste the Miracle!" So, I'm all about living, loving and building memories with my family and friends and, hopefully, leaving this world a little better.

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Life is a journey and each of us has our own experiences along the way. We have trials, challenges and great joys. I believe God places us on earth supplied with daily gifts to brighten our days and bring meaning to our lives. How do you find your joy? Are you an inspiration seeker?
I'm here to share with you some of my gifts along my journey as it takes its turns and twists. There will be a mix of my love for birds in God's great gift of nature, a few guiding-life principles, a healthy sense of humor, the blessings of relationships, and some of my own life experiences like breast cancer,survivorship and even that ugly old word divorce.
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